Patricia R. Doxsey reports in The Daily Freeman that on Oct. 18, Ulster County Executive Michael Hein signed a law banning plastic bags at most retail establishments in the county. He said the Bring Your Own Bag Act will, “encourage people to use reusable bags as they do their shopping, as they live their life, just as they did, by the way, for generations and generations.” When the law takes effect in mid-2019, most retailers won't give out plastic bags for customers' purchases, and, instead, customers who don’t bring reusable bags will charged five cents each for recyclable paper bags. Ulster County is the first in the state banning plastic bags countywide, while Suffolk County has a five-cent fee for plastic bags. Nassau County, Dutchess County, and Sullivan County are currently discussing similar laws. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.